Footballer with Indian roots calls English cop ‘stupid and white’; not guilty of racism

Australian women's football star Sam Kerr, who is of Indian ancestry, was found not guilty of racially abusing a British police officer. The 31-year-old called the officer Stephen Lovell 'stupid and white'. Kerr admitted that she used those words but denied the charge of racially aggravated harassment.

Kerr, who plays for Women's Super League heavyweights Chelsea, was acquitted by a jury following a trial at the Kingston Crown Court in London. The footballer's lawyer had told the court that her comment was about power and privilege. Kerr, who gave evidence last week, said she felt police treated her differently because of the colour of her skin.

Kerr's grandparents had moved to Australia from Kolkata, where her father, Roger, was born. In an interview, Kerr said she was proud of her Indian roots, just as her grandmother Coral was. "My Indian heritage is something I’m really proud of, and I know my nanna’s really proud that I’m representing young Indian girls whenever I go out there and play," Kerr said a few years ago.

Kerr and her partner, Kristie Mewis, who had been out drinking, were driven to a police station by a taxi driver. They were accused of smashing the car's rear window and refusing to bear the cost of cleaning up the vehicle after one of them was allegedly sick.

Kerr is yet to feature for Chelsea this season as she is recovering from an injury sustained a year ago. She captains Australia and is their all-time leading goal scorer with 69 goals.